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This week's State Board of Elections hearings are remarkable for two reasons.

First, they're shedding light on shady practices by former Gov. Mike Easley and others, particularly concerning campaign finances.

Second, they're demonstrating -- again -- the board's important role in investigating political corruption.

Testimony about Easley, elected governor in 2000 and 2004, and his campaigns covered some previously reported information but also disclosed new findings. It was known that supporter McQueen Campbell had flown Easley to campaign events many times on his company plane without reporting the cost of the flights as contributions. But Campbell also revealed Monday that, prompted by Easley, he did bill the campaign $11,000 for flight expenses when the money really paid for repairs to Easley's private residence.

State board members and staff investigators were well-prepared for these hearings, issuing subpoenas for dozens of witnesses, collecting documents and developing tough questions. The proceedings were not meant to put anyone on trial, but they could lead to a recommendation for possible criminal investigation by other authorities.

The board itself is a partisan body. Three members belong to the same party as the governor and two belong to the other party. That means Democrats hold a 3-2 majority, a potentially awkward situation because Easley is a Democrat and the N.C. Democratic Party also is under scrutiny for its relationship with Easley's campaigns. But the board, led by Chairman Larry Leake, who once raised funds for Easley, is not operating in a partisan way. By all appearances, it is conducting itself in a thorough, professional, open and objective manner.

That's critically important because the integrity of the election system requires the impartial enforcement of all election laws. Voters have to be able to trust when they cast their ballots that no candidate, not even the governor, has gained an unfair advantage.

If a candidate has accepted campaign contributions or donations of services that exceed limits allowed by law, or has failed to fully and accurately report his campaign finances, he should be called to account. That's a major part of what these hearings are intended to determine.

Previous investigations by this board have led to criminal prosecutions. Former N.C. House of Representatives Speaker Jim Black is one key figure sent to prison as a result. It's too soon to speculate about Easley, who deserves to have his say before the board, but evidence produced so far gives him plenty to explain.

Whatever the outcome this time, the State Board of Elections is proving its value in the battle against political corruption in North Carolina. It perhaps could use more resources to step up the number and pace of investigations, but its track record in the past few years should warn candidates to run honest campaigns.